The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said digitalization and streamlined services by local government units (LGUs) will boost the country’s revenue collection.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos also said one of the notable impacts of Ease of Doing Business (EODB) reforms is the growth in revenues from local business taxes, fees, and charges, which increased from P50 billion in 2018 to P208 billion in 2022.
Another positive outcome of the EODB initiatives is the rise in the number of registered businesses, from 1.5 million in 2018 to 4.4 million in 2022, the official said.
Assuring a continued commitment to advancing digitalization, Abalos affirmed that the DILG will collaborate with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) as its technology partner.
The ongoing campaign encourages LGUs to embrace the E-Local Government Unit (eLGU) system, providing services such as business permit licensing, notice of violations, notification systems, community tax, health certificates, local civil registry, business tax, and real property tax.
As of December last year, 921 LGUs, constituting 60 percent, have already embraced digitalization or automation of services. Among them, 799 LGUs utilize the eLGU system, while 122 localities have implemented their independent systems, marking positive strides toward a more digitally empowered local governance landscape.
On the other hand, the DICT vowed to expand its free Wi-Fi sites in the country to support the DILG’s digitalization project. DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr. said the government is planning to beef up free Wi-Fi connections for LGUs.
Almirol reported that the DICT had installed 25,000 free Wi-Fi sites by the end of 2023, contributing to improved connectivity nationwide.
Aligning with the administration’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda to enhance bureaucratic efficiency, the DILG, DICT, and ARTA presented the status of the electronic business one-stop shop, particularly the eLGU, during a sectoral meeting with the President.
The nationwide implementation of eLGU aims to digitally transform and streamline local government processes.